Neck pillow with humps

ABSTRACT

This invention refers to a neck pillow or travel pillow. In particular, it concerns a travel pillow which is designed as an essentially U-shaped neck pillow and has a first leg (12) and a second leg (14) which are connected by a middle section (16), and has a circumferential inner side and a circumferential outer side and an upper side (18), a lower side (20) and a median plane (M), the travel pillow (10) having on its upper side (18) a contour comprising at least one first hump (72) extending above a ground plane (H), the travel pillow (10) further comprising a hood (50) and a receiving space (52) for said hood (50), characterized in that the receiving space (52) is disposed at least partially below the ground plane (H) of the hump (72).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention refers to a neck pillow or travel pillow. Such pillows are often used on journeys to rest the head on and are often U-shaped.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The utility model DE 20 2016 004 221 reveals a hood with a neck pillow that can be inflated. In this solution, the hood appears as the primary element. An opening is provided at the hood to accommodate the neck pillow. This can be inserted into the opening when not inflated. Inside the hood, the neck pillow can be fully inflated and support the head. Since the neck pillow is enclosed by a hood, it is hardly or not at all visible from the outside.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,945 reveals a U-shaped neck pillow with hood. An opening is provided on the outer side of the U through which an inflatable inner pillow part can be inserted into the cover. On the opposite side a hood is provided on the inner side of the U. However, no storage is provided for this hood.

The utility model DE 20 2016 001161U1 reveals a neck support for the stable positioning of the head. The neck pad has an essentially roll-shaped design and is equipped with a hood inside. The hood can be removed through an opening.

A travel pillow according to the present invention is essentially a U-shaped neck pillow. Such pillows are common as travel pillows, they can of course also be used outside a trip, as they provide good support for the neck and are therefore generally perceived as pleasant for seated sleeping positions. According to its shape, the travel pillow has a first leg and a second leg, which are connected by a middle section. The U-shape also requires that there is a circumferential inner side and a circumferential outer side. The circumferential outer side and the circumferential inner side converge at the end of the legs. Furthermore, the travel pillow has an upper side which is oriented towards the user's head when in use and a lower side which is oriented towards the shoulders when in use.

The travel pillow also has a median plane, which is essentially located in the middle between the upper side and the lower side of the pillow. If the position of the median plane is not a direct result of geometric considerations, the plane that divides the pillow weight in half should be assumed as the median plane.

According to this invention, a travel pillow should have a contour on its upper side that includes at least one hump. The travel pillow can therefore also include several humps, such as two humps, three humps or four humps.

The travel pillow should also have a hood and a receiving space to accommodate this hood. According to the invention, the receiving space to accommodate the hood should at least partially be arranged below the ground plane of at least one hump.

Each hump comprises a ground plane, that is the imaginary plane over which it rises opposite a flat surface without humps. In case of doubt, this should be thought parallel to the median plane. For example, this surface connects two valleys left and right of the hump. According to the invention, the receiving space to accommodate the hood should at least partially be arranged below this ground plane, it can also be arranged as a whole below this ground plane.

According to the present invention, the travel pillow may, for example, have a hump arranged centrally above the middle section. Then it is useful to arrange the receiving space to accommodate the hood below the ground plane of this hump. It is thus also arranged below the hump at the same time.

The receiving space to accommodate the hood is limited at the bottom by a floor surface, at the top by a ceiling surface, to the rear by a rear wall surface, and to the left and right by side surfaces. The rear wall surface can be opposite a front wall surface. This does not have to be provided, the receiving space to accommodate the hood can also be completely open to the front.

The receiving space to accommodate the hood can be of different shape, e.g. each surface can be even and can work like walls. They can also be curved. For the purposes of this invention, it is advantageous if the ceiling surface is entirely or at least partially flat. This allows the ceiling surface to run advantageously parallel to the ground plane of one or more humps arranged above it. This results in a defined and uniform amount of filling material being available between the ceiling surface of the receiving space to accommodate the hood and the ground plane of an adjacent hump. In this way, a sufficiently strong “foundation” is formed for humps. This also ensures an even firmness of the pillow above the receiving space to accommodate the hood.

It can also be useful if the middle section has two humps. These can be arranged symmetrically around the center of the middle section. For such an arrangement it is advisable if the receiving space to accommodate the hood is below the ground plane of both humps. For this purpose, it can lie completely or partially also under the respective humps. However, the receiving space to accommodate the hood can also be more limited in its extension to the right and left leg. Then the receiving space to accommodate the hood may be below the ground plane of the humps, but it is not below the humps themselves, as it does not extend to the humps in the direction of rotation.

The travel pillow can also have three or four humps. For example, it has proven to be comfortable to have a hump on both the first and second leg. An additional hump can be placed in the middle between them on the middle section, but it is particularly useful if two additional humps are placed on the middle section of the pillow.

It is advisable to place the receiving space to accommodate the hood in the central area of the outer circumference of the pillow, i.e. in the area of the middle section. It is also advisable if the receiving space to accommodate the hood is located in the middle section of the pillow and is accessible from behind. It is therefore also useful if the receiving space to accommodate the hood is adjacent to the circumferential outer side.

It is also advisable if the receiving space to accommodate the hood is arranged entirely or at least predominantly above the median plane of the pillow.

It is useful if the extent of the receiving space to accommodate the hood in the direction of rotation is no greater than the distance of the humps in the central area. In this way, the greater thickness of the pillow in the area of the humps is used to provide a receiving space to accommodate the hood.

In principle, the following applies to the arrangement of at least one hump or several humps and the arrangement of the receiving space to accommodate the hood: It is useful if areas of the pillow that rise higher are used to provide a receiving space to accommodate the hood. There, especially in case of a pillow, which as a whole does not have much volume, there is enough space for a receiving space to accommodate the hood. At the same time, however, it is advantageous to provide the receiving space to accommodate the hood below the ground plane of the humps. This has in particular the advantage that the firmness of the humps, which are to develop a supporting effect, is not impaired by the receiving space to accommodate the hood. The exact shape of the humps can also be designed independently of the shape of the receiving space to accommodate the hood. The area of the receiving space to accommodate the hood inevitably offers little resistance to external pressure, as the receiving space to accommodate the hood is essentially hollow, at least when the hood is removed. Such a hollow space can therefore be a disadvantage for the comfort when using the pillow, as the pillow is supposed to have a certain supporting effect, for which sufficient strength is required. In the case of a pillow with hood, the basic problem is therefore to provide a sufficient size of storage space without restricting the overall usability of the pillow as such.

These considerations apply to all the revealed options in the arrangement of the receiving space and the arrangement of humps.

It is particularly useful if the travel pillow has an outer shell and a pillow filling. The outer shell gives the pillow its form and shape. The pillow filling can be selected independently of the outer shell. It is also advisable if the receiving space to accommodate the hood is at least partially enclosed by the pillow filling.

It is also useful if a zipper is provided in the outer shell which, when open, gives access to the receiving space to accommodate the hood.

It is useful if this zipper runs in a curve. The shape of the curve is obtained by looking at the pillow from behind. The curve can essentially have the shape of an inverted U, so there is an apex higher than the end points of the zipper. Seen from the top, the zipper has a convex shape because its apex is oriented towards the top. This shape has proved to be advantageous because in that way the opening of the receiving space to accommodate the hood can be opened easily. In particular, the shape of a pillow with humps in the middle section causes the outer shell to sit tightly over the humps when the zipper is closed. The closing movement of the zipper leads to an advantageous force effect on the outer shell, so that it not only sits tightly, but also in its nominal position relative to the pillow filling.

It is useful if the outer shell consists of at least two cut-to-size elements which are joined by at least one seam and the opening is provided in the seam. For the hood It is equally useful if it consists of two cut-to-size elements.

Further characteristics, but also advantages of the invention, result from the following drawings and the corresponding description. In the drawings and in the corresponding descriptions, characteristics of the invention are described in combination. However, these characteristics may also be included in other combinations of an object in line with the invention. Each revealed characteristic is thus also to be regarded as revealed in technically meaningful combinations with other characteristics. Some of the drawings are slightly simplified and schematic.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the travel pillow from the front

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the travel pillow from behind

FIG. 3 shows a view of the travel pillow from behind, where the hood was partially removed from the inside

FIG. 4 shows the travel pillow with hood and partially closed opening from the same angle

FIG. 5 shows the hood ready for use from an angle similar to FIG. 4

FIG. 6 shows the travel pillow with hood in a usage configuration

FIG. 7 shows the travel pillow in a side view from behind

FIG. 8 shows travel pillows in a side view from the left

FIG. 1 shows a travel pillow in line with the invention 10 in perspective view. The travel pillow has an essentially U-shaped form. Accordingly, it has a right leg 12 and a left leg 14. (The legs are labeled as the user sees them when wearing the pillow.) The two legs are connected by the middle section 16. The pillow has an upper side 18 and a lower side 20. The right leg 12 ends in the right horn 22, and the left leg 14 ends in the left horn 24. An appropriate shape of the legs and horns is indicated by the contour line K. A seam can also run along this contour line.

A closing loop 26 is provided on the right horn 22. This can be connected to an eye 28 on the left horn 24. So the U-shaped pillow can be placed around the neck and closed at the front so that it supports the neck particularly well on a journey.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the travel pillow 10 from the opposite line of sight, i.e. from behind. It can be seen that a first zipper 30 is provided at the rear side of the middle section 16. This includes in particular a first rider 32.

FIG. 3 shows the travel pillow from a perspective view where the line of sight is similar to FIG. 2. This time, however, the first zipper 30 is open, so the first rider 32 is not on the left side, but on the right side, i.e. adjacent to the right leg 12. In this configuration of the pillow you can see the second rider 34. It belongs to a second zipper. This is arranged behind the first zipper 30 so that it is covered by it in FIG. 2. The first band 36 of the first zipper is also visible and the second band 38 of the first zipper is on the opposite side. The second zipper also shows the first band 40, which runs parallel to the first band 36, as well as the second band 42 of the second zipper. Opening the first zipper 30 has created the opening 46 in the outer shell 44. The foam filling 48 of the pillow is now visible through this opening 46. It can also be seen that the foam filling has a receiving space 52 to accommodate the hood 50. The receiving space to accommodate the hood has a wide slit-like opening.

If this opening of the receiving space 52 comprises two parallel edges, this is generally in line with the invention and allows good access to the hood 50. It is also generally in line with the invention if the receiving space 52 comprises a ceiling surface comprising a flat section.

The hood 50 is a component of the travel pillow in line with the invention and is essentially taken from the receiving space to accommodate the hood.

FIG. 4 shows another perspective view. In this illustration, the opening 46 in the outer shell 44 is partially closed. For this purpose, the second rider 34 is moved to a middle position. It is obvious that by moving the second rider 34 further towards the first rider 32, which can remain in its right end position, the opening 46 can be completely closed again. This is done with the second zip 56. This illustration also shows the connecting seam 54, with which the hood below the second band of the second zipper 42 is connected to the outer shell 44 of the pillow.

FIG. 5 shows the travel pillow in a perspective view, similar to FIG. 4. In this illustration, however, the hood 50 is completely removed and ready for use. The hood comprises a left part 58 and a right part 60. Both are connected by a central seam 62. Furthermore, the hood 50 is equipped with a cord 64. Such a cord can also be dispensed with in other designs without further ado.

At both ends of the opening 44 the hood 50 is not connected to the middle section 16 of the pillow 10. Here the hood forms a right tongue 66 and a left tongue 68. These are freely movable in relation to the pillow part. In this way the hood 50 and in particular the cord ends can be gripped well if they are guided in the cord channel 70.

FIG. 6 shows the travel pillow in line with the invention 10 in a state of use. The two legs, i.e. the right leg 12 and the left leg 14, are placed around the neck. The closing loop 26 can be used to connect to an eye 28, but this does not have to be done and has not been done in this configuration. After removing the hood 50 from the pillow cover 44, it can be placed comfortably around the head of a user.

FIG. 7 shows the more exact shape of the pillow in a side view. The view goes exactly from behind on the pillow, thus on the middle section 16. This is bounded above by the upper side 18 and below by the lower side 20. You can see the closing loop 26. The first zipper 30 runs centrally. It is slightly curved, similar to a U standing on its head. Seen from the top, the zipper is convexly curved.

As clearly visible in this illustration, the travel pillow has a first hump 72 and a second hump 74. Both are arranged symmetrically to the center vertical S of the pillow. They rise above ground plane H. Since the first zipper 30 is closed, the receiving space 52 to accommodate the hood 50 cannot be seen. However, its position results directly from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. It is advisable to arrange the receiving space to accommodate the hood between the median plane M and the floor plane H. The receiving space to accommodate the hood should be positioned between the median plane M and the ground plane H. It can also lie partly below the median plane M, but should mainly extend above it. This allows a particularly good access to the hood.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the pillow known from FIG. 7. You can recognize again the position of the ground plane H, which results from the position of the humps 72 and 74. The view in this illustration goes to the left leg 14, which ends in the left horn 24. The legs are cut in such a way that the contour line K results, which represents a buckling line in the surface. This was already visible in FIG. 1. This side view shows that a third hump 76 is provided on the left leg 14. Symmetrically to this, a fourth hump can be provided on the right leg 12.

All in all, you can see how to make a comfortable travel pillow with pressure-resistant humps and a hood. With the revealed design, the travel pillow does not have to be very voluminous.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

-   10 neck pillows/travel pillows -   12 right leg -   14 left leg -   16 middle section -   18 upper side -   20 lower side -   22 right horn -   24 left horn -   26 closing loop -   28 eye -   K contour line -   30 first zipper -   32 first rider -   34 second rider -   36 first band of the first zipper -   38 second band of the first zipper -   40 first band of the second zipper -   42 second band of the second zipper -   44 outer shell -   46 opening -   48 pillow filling/foam filling -   50 hood -   52 receiving space to accommodate the hood -   54 connecting seam with hood -   56 second zipper -   58 left part/cut-to-size element of hood -   60 right part/cut-to-size element of hood -   62 seam -   64 cord -   66 right tongue of hood -   68 left tongue of hood -   70 cord channel -   72 hump -   74 hump -   76 hump -   M median plane -   H ground plane -   S center vertical -   K contour line 

1. A travel pillow (10) configured as an essentially U-shaped neck pillow comprising a first leg (12) and a second leg (14) connected by a middle section (16) and having a circumferential inner side and a circumferential outer side and an upper side (18), a lower side (20) and a median plane (M), the travel pillow (10) having on its upper side (18) a contour comprising at least one first hump (72) extending above a ground plane (H), the travel pillow (10) further comprising a hood (50) and a receiving space (52) for said hood (50), and wherein the receiving space (52) is disposed at least partially below the ground plane (H) of the hump (72).
 2. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving space (52) is arranged in the middle section (16) of the pillow (10).
 3. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving space (52) is arranged at least predominantly above the median plane (M) of the pillow (10).
 4. A travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving space (52) has a ceiling surface which is flat.
 5. A travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a second hump (74).
 6. A travel pillow (10) according to claim 5, further comprising a third hump and a fourth hump (76).
 7. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 6, wherein the third hump is provided in the area of the first leg (12) and the fourth hump (76) is provided in the area of the second leg (14) and wherein the first hump (72) and the second hump (74) are arranged in the middle section (16) and wherein the receiving space lies at least partially below the ground plane (H) of the humps (72, 74) in the middle section (16).
 8. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 7, wherein the extent of the receiving space (52) in the direction of rotation is not further than the distance of the humps (72, 74) in the middle section.
 9. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the travel pillow (10) comprises an outer shell (44) and a pillow filling (48)
 10. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 9, wherein the receiving space (52) for receiving the hood (50) is at least partially enclosed by the pillow filling (48).
 11. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 10, wherein a recess is provided in the pillow filling (48) which can serve as a receiving space (52) for the hood (50).
 12. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 9, wherein a zipper (30) is provided in the outer shell (44), which zipper (30), in the open state, releases access to the receiving space (52).
 13. A travel pillow (10) according to claim 12, wherein the zipper (30) is convex when viewed from the top (18).
 14. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 9, in which the outer shell (44) consists of at least two cut-to-size elements which are connected to at least one seam and an opening is provided in the seam.
 15. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hood (50) consists of two cut-to-size elements (58, 60).
 16. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 2, wherein the receiving space (52) is arranged at least predominantly above the median plane (M) of the pillow (10).
 17. A travel pillow (10) according to claim 2, wherein the receiving space (52) has a ceiling surface which is flat.
 18. A travel pillow (10) according to claim 2, further comprising a second hump (74).
 19. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 2, wherein the travel pillow (10) comprises an outer shell (44) and a pillow filling (48).
 20. Travel pillow (10) according to claim 9, wherein the receiving space (52) for receiving the hood (50) is at least partially enclosed by the pillow filling (48). 